feeling of compassion

USAGE SUMMARY

"feeling of compassion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to talk about an emotional response to something, for example: "John had a feeling of compassion for the struggling family he saw on the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"In a winter-hammered landscape," he writes, "the light creates a feeling of compassion... it is possible to imagine a stifling ignorance falling away from us".

The Guardian - Books

According to Mencius, the sprout (duan; also meaning "beginning") of ren is a spontaneous feeling of compassion and commiseration within the human heart-and-mind (xin), the locus of both cognitive and affective functions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was more grief, of course, but also an omnipresent feeling of compassion, a desire for companionship and a yearning to believe something redemptive could come out of horrific tragedy.

The New York Times

He seemed like a pastor would -- I mean, a good pastor would be in my faith tradition, and seemed to have a genuine, a quite genuine feeling of compassion for the people that they were reaching out to, feeding, clothing, etc. Q.: Was there discussion about the Hsi Lai Temple in the United States or his faith's presence in the United States?

The New York Times

Growing up, Avedon heard his mother say to his sister Louise, who would eventually die, at 42, in a mental institution, "You're so beautiful you don't have to open your mouth". This notion that beauty can be intoxicating but, equally, impoverishing to the soul, Ms. Squiers said, tinged Avedon's early pictures with a feeling of compassion.

The New York Times

"It wasn't driven by some great feeling of compassion towards pedestrians; it was simply about getting people out of the way in order to speed up traffic flow". With the new dual carriageways of London Wall and Lower Thames Street slicing right through the centre of the capital, pedestrians were lifted up on bridges so they wouldn't slow down the cars.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Altruism, in turn, is the kind, selfless behavior often prompted by feelings of compassion, though one can feel compassion without acting on it, and altruism isn't always motivated by compassion.

University of California, Berkeley

Kids can develop a much healthier response to suffering if they're given a constructive way to act on their feelings of compassion; otherwise, they might feel panicky and helpless.

Huffington Post

I respect the feelings of compassion in adherents of any religion and hope that they, in turn, will respect my feelings of compassion.

The New York Times

Look for commonalities: Seeing yourself as similar to others increases feelings of compassion.

University of California, Berkeley

Restraining feelings of compassion chips away at our commitment to moral principles.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feeling of compassion" to describe a deep emotional response to suffering, motivating a desire to alleviate it.

Common error

Avoid using "feeling of compassion" when "pity" is more appropriate. Compassion involves understanding and wanting to help, whereas pity can imply condescension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeling of compassion" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific emotion characterized by empathy and a desire to alleviate suffering. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feeling of compassion" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a deep sense of empathy and concern for others. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and frequently used in English. It appears across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and academic writing, with a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate it from similar concepts like pity, focusing on the aspect of wanting to help alleviate suffering. Consider alternatives like "sense of empathy" or "act of kindness" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of empathy

Replaces "compassion" with "empathy" and "feeling" with "sense", focusing on understanding another's feelings.

show of sympathy

Shifts from an internal feeling to an outward display of sympathy.

act of kindness

Emphasizes the action prompted by compassion rather than the feeling itself.

display of concern

Highlights the element of care and worry for someone's well-being.

moment of tenderness

Focuses on the gentle and caring nature of the emotion.

stirrings of mercy

Emphasizes the aspect of forgiveness and leniency.

a compassionate heart

Replaces the feeling with a characteristic of having a heart filled with compassion.

understanding and care

Breaks down compassion into its components of understanding and caring.

benevolent sentiment

Uses more formal language to describe a kind and well-meaning feeling.

humanitarian impulse

Connects the feeling to a broader desire to help humanity.

FAQs

How can I use "feeling of compassion" in a sentence?

You can use "feeling of compassion" to describe someone's emotional response to another's suffering, such as: "The aid worker was driven by a strong feeling of compassion for the refugees."

What's the difference between "feeling of compassion" and "feeling of sympathy"?

"Feeling of compassion" implies a desire to alleviate suffering, whereas a "feeling of sympathy" is simply understanding or sharing another's emotions.

What can I say instead of "feeling of compassion"?

You can use alternatives like "sense of empathy", "show of sympathy", or "act of kindness" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feeling of compassion"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Feeling of compassion" is a common noun phrase used to describe a specific emotion.